Robert Hawley named as AVP for institutional advancement

Robert K. Hawley, an executive with more than 25 years of experience with nonprofit organizations, has joined the staff at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as associate vice president for institutional advancement.

Hawley, of Prosper, Texas, was born in Fort Worth and lived here until he was 11 years old. During those years he attended Polytechnic Baptist Church and, later, Travis Avenue Baptist Church. He comes to the seminary from LifeWay Christian Resources where he served as the capital resource manager for the western region.

Beginning his adult career as a pastor for churches in California, he involved himself in supporting mission outreaches around the world. He quickly learned that he had to raise funds to support the missions’ endeavors. He has also been vice president of sales training and operations for a communications company in Dallas, vice president of Stephen's Children Foundation, chief administrator of the Christian Motorcyclists Association and president of Open Doors Ministry USA.

“Robert Hawley is one of the most qualified and knowledgeable people in the religious, not-for-profit fundraising arena,” said Mike Hughes, Southwestern Seminary’s vice president for institutional advancement. “His response to the Lord in accepting this calling is a major blessing to the team being put together to raise funds for capital improvements and scholarship needs of the students.”

In his new role, Hawley will develop the stewardship ministry at the seminary and solicit funds from individuals, groups, foundations and corporations for the new 3,500-seat chapel, the building to house the Roy Fish School of Evangelism and Missions, endowments for student scholarships and other projects that will further the mission of Southwestern Seminary.

“My focus will be to work with people who have a desire from God to do something in ministry but don't know how to make it happen. We link them with people and projects that give them opportunities to invest their time, talent and resources to further the work that God has called this great institution to achieve,” Hawley said. “We ask people not just to give money, but to invest in a vision that will send trained leaders to churches and mission fields around the world.”

Hawley holds the bachelor of arts degree from Mercer University in Macon, Ga., and master of divinity degree from Talbot Theological Seminary in La Mirada, Calif. He and his wife, Janet, are the parents of three grown daughters.